An Impatient DIYer’s Shortcut to Stenciling

I’m not sure, but I would imagine if there was…my way would be totally wrong!

Want to know a secret about me?

I love to DIY and do projects, but get sidetracked and lose interest if something takes longer then an hour or two.

It’s true. I have the attention span of a 2 year old.

So if you’re like me, when a project comes along that you know is going to be phenomenal, and you just HAVE TO do it…but…

You also know that this project is going to take a long time to complete…like really really long…

You need to find a shortcut!

Here my friends, is the absolutely absurd way to stencil a wall, but with fantastic end results!

When you last checked in on my daughter’s room progress we were in the midst of painting, you can find part 1, part 2 and part 3 here. I also gave you a glimpse at what was to come.

Stenciling.

A few months ago, I stumbled onto Royal Design Studio stencils, and at that time they just happened to be having a promotion on one of their stencils that I had been eyeing- ‘Casablanca Trellis.’ So of course I ordered it because it was a GREAT deal I just didn’t know what I was going to use it for yet.

Now, I’ve never been big on directions. Seriously, I’m more of a lets do this, and read later when we make a mistake type of gal. I probably was a man in a past life, y’know the kind that wont pull over for directions when he’s lost. That’s me…

So of course after opening the box months ago, and tossing out everything (including the directions inside), I had to go online in search of tutorials from other bloggers that used it. I read some how to’s, I watched tutorials on YouTube, and began tapping with my brush the repetition of tile trellis onto my daughter’s wall…I knew it wasn’t going to end well if I didn’t find an easier way!

Getting the stencil to stick to the wall…

The tutorials I read called for spray adhesive. I didn’t have spray adhesive, and wasn’t going to go out and buy some. I also wasn’t keen on the idea of putting glue all over our freshly painted walls.

Tape? Ehh I tried..it worked for the first two times and then started to become a nuisance when I was pulling and replacing the stencil off and on the wall. Also my stencil seemed too heavy to be held up with tape (maybe it was the tape, maybe it was the texture of my walls…who knows!). It kept flopping around and falling, making a mess everywhere it landed.

I later figured out that the less paint I had on the roller, the smoother and less wart-alicious it came out. So do as I say and not what I do. Do NOT load up your roller with paint. You want it to be almost dry and put some muscle into rolling it. You will get a better result.

I didn’t like the fact that my pretty trellis was all warty, so after it was all dry I had to go back and touch it up with a small paint brush, and wall paint.

It looks like tedious work, but I promise you…it didn’t take long to smooth it all out.

From start to finish- I’d say it took 4 hours total to do this wall. 1 hour each night for 3 days, and another hour to touch up in places. The hardest part in the whole process was making sure the stencil was lined up correctly when overlapping the painted part, and using a level to make sure everything was straight. (No shortcuts for that, sorry)

Comments

WOW! Gorgeous! I am in love love love…what a lucky duck! I want to sleep there! You did a great job..push pins aye? Would have never known!Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus recently posted…Got Vanities? Get to jumpin’

The bedding is super cute, and the wall is gorgeous! I love that you just went with what worked. That’s totally something I would have done. I haven’t met a shortcut I didn’t like!!Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home recently posted…Two Toned Painted & Stained Dresser

That looks fabulous! I love your wart-alicious, that was hilarious! I think I have the same walls so it’s great to see how you did it. After seeing all that hard work, I’m not sure I have the patience to pull it off. I will just look at your page over and over and sigh.

Four hours???? I just did my daughter’s room and it felt like it took me about 20. I did the same pattern, but in yellow, and used spray adhesive. I wish I would have thought of push pins! Looks great!

Oh, hi there!

Hi! I'm Chrissi! I'm a homebody and get excited about finding ways to turn my house into a home. I love being able to share whatever inspires me too. Whether it's an easy DIY project, cleaning tip or delicious recipe...you can definitely find something to try here! This is my happy place to share what's going on in my life...Oh, and maybe talk a little bit about the love for my furkids too! I hope you'll stick around... Read More…

**This site contains advertising banners and occasional affiliate links. In the event that an affiliate link is used, I receive commission on the sale of the products. The affiliate program does not sway my decision of what products to use and share as I only feature items I would link to with or without an affiliate link.
All reviews and opinions on this site are mine and mine alone. I always give full disclosure at the end of each post if I'm paid or gifted to write about a product.
I love to share my personal experiences and what "works for me", however, I cannot guarantee that those same projects, recipes, tips etc... will also work for you.
As the reader, you assume any risks involved when completing anything seen on this site. I am not personally liable for anything that is completed based on the ideas and inspiration shared here.